Department of Justice approves Gloucester’s redistricting plan

Gloucester’s new voting precinct map shows changes recently approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, as part of Gloucester County’s redistricting process. Photo courtesy of Gloucester County.

The United States Department of Justice notified Gloucester County on June 29 that its redistricting proposal has been approved. This will mean some changes for voters, not only for the upcoming Nov. 8 general election, but also for the Aug. 23 Republican primary.

Carole Gates, Gloucester’s voter registrar, said new voter cards will be sent out to all registered voters in the county before the primary, notifying each voter of his or her precinct and polling place.

The redistricting plan includes several precinct changes, according to Gates. Starting at the north end of the county and working south, she said the Harcum precinct, with the polling place formerly at the Piankatank Community League, will now be at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Salem precinct will remain the same, continuing at Petsworth Elementary School. The Bethel precinct name has been changed to Peasley and the polling place will remain at Peasley Middle School.

Court House-area precincts will remain the same, she said. The Courthouse precinct will remain at First Presbyterian Church and the Botetourt precinct will remain at Botetourt Elementary School.

The White Marsh precinct, with the polling place formerly held at Page Middle School has been moved farther north to Bethel Elementary School. "Everyone knows that Page was destroyed," Gates said, "but Bethel (Elementary School) may not be the first place voters in that precinct would think of going."